ISSN: 2155-6105

Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy
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  • Review Article   
  • J Addict Res Ther 2012, Vol 3(1)
  • DOI: 10.4172/2155-6105.1000119

Genetic Underpinnings of Neuroticism: A Replication Study

Lily R Aleksandrova1,2, Renan P. Souza1,3, Michael R. Bagby4, David M. Casey5, David C. Hodgins5, Garry J. Smith6, Rob J. Williams7, Don P. Schopflocher8, Rob T. Wood9, Nady El-Guebaly10, James L. Kennedy1,3# and Daniela S. S. Lobo1,3,11*#
1Neuroscience Department, Neurogenetics Section, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, , Toronto, ON, Canada
2Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
3Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
4Clinical Research Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, , Toronto, ON, Canada
5Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
6Faculty of Extension, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
7School of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
8Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
9Department of Sociology, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
10Department of Psychiatry, Division of Addiction, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
11Problem Gambling Service, Addictions Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, , Toronto, ON, Canada
#Contributed equally to this work
*Corresponding Author : Daniela S. S. Lobo M.D, Ph.D, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell St, RS 3039 Toronto, ON - M5S 2S1, Canada, Tel: 1-416-535-8501 Exn. 6568, Fax: 1-416-979-4666, Email: Daniela_Lobo@camh.net

Received Date: Nov 12, 2012 / Accepted Date: Jan 12, 2012 / Published Date: Jan 16, 2012

Abstract

Background: Neuroticism, as defined and measured by the NEO Personality Inventory (Neuroticism Extraversion and Openness Personality Inventory), is a core personality trait reflecting an individual’s emotional reactivity. High neuroticism is thought to be an important vulnerability factor for various psychiatric disorders in the general population, including substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Recent findings support the hypothesis that genetic factors underlying the neuroticism trait could increase the susceptibility to psychiatric disorders. The current study aimed to replicate genetic associations with high neuroticism previously reported in the literature.
Methods: We genotyped four polymorphisms: CNR1 (rs7766029), GABRA2 (rs9291283), GABRA6 (rs3219151) and MAMDC1 (rs7151262) in 215 healthy Caucasian subjects, who completed a short version of the NEO-PI. NEO neuroticism scores of the three genotype groups were compared using ANCOVA, with age as a covariate.
Results: All four genetic polymorphisms were found to be significantly associated with NEO neuroticism scores (p < 0.0025), but not with any other NEO personality domain. Conclusion: Our results corroborate other studies proposing a role for the GABAergic and cannabinoid systems in the modulation of affective states and stress responses, as measured through neuroticism scores. It is important to replicate the genetic findings of neuroticism, in order to gain a better understanding of this personality domain that has been reported as an important risk factor for mood and anxiety disorders and substance addiction.

Keywords: NEO; Neuroticism; Genetics

Citation: Aleksandrova LR, Souza RP, Bagby MR, Casey DM, Hodgins DC, et al. (2012) Genetic Underpinnings of Neuroticism: A Replication Study. J Addict Res Ther 3: 119. Doi: 10.4172/2155-6105.1000119

Copyright: © 2012 Aleksandrova LR, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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